EU Council conclusions on ISIL/Da'esh crisis in Syria and Iraq

Summary: 20 October 2014, Luxembourg Council of the European Union Foreign

Affairs meeting conclusions on the ISIL/Da'esh crisis in Syria and Iraq
The Council adopted the following conclusions:
"1. The EU is seriously concerned about the humanitarian and security situation in Syria
and Iraq and condemns unreservedly the attacks, atrocities, killings and abuses of
human rights perpetrated by ISIL / Da'esh and other terrorist groups in both countries
as well as by the Assad regime in Syria. The EU is determined to contribute to the
international endeavour to defeat those terrorist groups. A Syrian led political transition
and inclusive political governance in Iraq are crucial to sustainable peace and stability
in the region.
2. The situation in Ayn al Arab / Kobani and in other areas under siege and
experiencing fierce fighting against ISIL / Da'esh is a matter of serious concern. The EU
appreciates efforts by Turkey to shelter refugees from Kobani and calls on Turkey to
open its border for any supply for the people of Kobani.
3. The EU is committed to tackling in a comprehensive and coordinated manner the
regional threat posed by terrorism and violent extremism and addressing the
underlying instability and violence which has given ISIL / Da'esh and other terrorist
groups a foothold. The EU supports efforts by more than sixty States to tackle the threat
from ISIL / Da'esh, including military action in accordance with international law. It
notes that military action in this context is necessary but not sufficient to defeat ISIL /
Da'esh and it is part of a wider effort comprising measures in the political/diplomatic,
counter-terrorism and terrorism funding, humanitarian and communication field. The
EU calls on all partners to enforce relevant United Nations Security Council
Resolutions, including 2170 and 2178 and to step up efforts at national level to deny
ISIL / Da'esh the benefits of illicit oil sales and other goods. Non-inclusive policies in
Iraq, and instability in Syria caused by the Assad regime's brutal war against its own
people, massive human rights violations and systematic obstruction against democratic
reforms, have allowed ISIL / Da'esh to flourish. As a consequence of its policies and
actions, the Assad regime cannot be a partner in the fight against ISIL / Da'esh.

4. The EU approved today further sanctions against the Assad regime, designating
individuals and entities linked to the regime to be subject to restrictive measures. The
Council also agreed today to impose an export ban on jet fuel and relevant additives
being exported to Syria as they are being used by the Assad regime's air force, which
undertakes indiscriminate air attacks against civilians. The EU will continue its policy of
imposing additional measures targeting the regime, as long as repression continues.
5. The EU reiterates its firm commitment to counter the serious problem of foreign
fighters who have joined the ranks of ISIL / Da'esh and other terrorist groups. The
Council endorses the EU counter terrorism / foreign fighters strategy, which is an
integral part of the response to the August 2014 European Council Conclusions and to
United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2170 and 2178. The Council calls for its
well-coordinated implementation as a matter of highest priority. The EU is determined
to take immediate and long term action to deny ISIL / Da'esh the benefits of its sources
of funding and supply, and to enhance its counter terrorism and security cooperation
with countries neighbouring Syria and Iraq in line with the EU counter terrorism /
foreign fighters strategy. The EU supports the work undertaken by the EU CounterTerrorism Coordinator in this regard.
6. International efforts to achieve a Syrian-led transition remain a priority in order to
maintain the country's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity while preserving its
multi-ethnic and multi-religious character. The EU will continue to provide political
and practical support to the moderate opposition. There cannot be lasting peace in Syria
if the legitimate grievances of all ordinary Syrians, including those belonging to ethnic
and religious groups, are not addressed. The EU is determined to support all efforts for
a political solution by mutual consent based on the Geneva Communiqu of 30 June
2012 and in line with relevant UNSC Resolutions. The EU calls on all parties to engage
constructively in negotiations and it expresses its full support to the UN special envoy
Staffan de Mistura and his ongoing efforts. The EU recognises that the active
engagement of regional and international actors will be required to deliver a viable
transition and calls on them to play a constructive role in this regard.
7. The EU is appalled by and firmly condemns the indiscriminate killings, human rights
abuses, including systematic sexual and gender based violence, perpetrated in Syria
and Iraq by ISIL / Da'esh and other terrorist organisations, in particular against
Christian and other religious and ethnic groups, women and children. The EU reiterates
also its condemnation of the gross, widespread and systematic violations of human
rights and international humanitarian law by the Assad regime. The EU is seriously
concerned about the human rights abuses and sectarian violence that are being
committed in Iraq.
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8. The EU welcomes the 8th report of the independent international Commission of

Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic published on 27 August 2014. The EU strongly
condemns the actions of ISIL / Da'esh amounting to crimes against humanity and war
crimes. The EU recalls that all responsible for abuses and violations of human rights
and international humanitarian law must be held accountable and that there can be no
impunity for them. The EU reiterates its call to the Security Council to refer the situation
in Syria to the International Criminal Court and its call of Iraq to accede to the Rome
Statute. The EU welcomes efforts by actors working on the ground to ensure that
human rights abuses and violations are being documented and evidence preserved.
9. The EU welcomes the formation of a new Iraqi government on 8 September and its
commitment to address current challenges by pursuing inclusive policies which meet
the needs and aspirations of all components of Iraqi society. Failure to do so may
compromise efforts to combat ISIL/Da'esh, hamper the government's efforts to promote
Iraq's national reconciliation, and further intensify sectarian tensions. It welcomes the
appointment to the key posts of defence and interior ministers, as well as the other
ministerial appointments and the fact that the Kurdish ministers have taken up their
posts in the government. It calls on the Iraqi government and the government of the
Kurdistan Region to find a lasting solution to their differences.
10. The EU reiterates its firm commitment to Iraq's unity, sovereignty and territorial
integrity. It welcomes the coalition's efforts, including the decision by individual
Member States to provide military material and expertise to Iraq, to reduce
ISIL/Da'esh's capacity to attack civilian populations, which come in response to an
explicit request for support by the Iraqi government. Ultimately, however, the solution
to the crisis can only be political. It calls on the government to reach out to all
components of Iraq society and to pursue, without delay, a process of national
reconciliation. The EU urges all components of Iraqi society to unite in the fight against
ISIL/Daesh and to support a process of national reconciliation.
11. The EU expresses its readiness to closely cooperate with the Government of Iraq in
addressing its challenges, and to support it in pursuing the necessary reforms across a
broad spectrum of sectors, including the security sector and the judicial system which
need to be reinforced along non-sectarian lines, in cooperation with UNAMI and in
compliance with Iraqs international obligations, in order to enhance good governance
and rule of law.
12. The EU welcomes the various and complementary initiatives taken on Iraq, in
particular the conclusions of the Conference on Peace and Security in Iraq held in Paris
on 15 September, as well as the UNSC meeting on Iraq held on 19 September. The EU
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calls on countries in the region and the international community to work together to
help Iraq tackle its sectarian tensions and restore peace and stability.
13. The EU is deeply concerned, particularly in view of the approach of winter, by the
humanitarian predicament of the millions of Syrians and Iraqis who have been forcibly
displaced both internally and to neighbouring countries. The EU and its Member States
are leading the international response to the crisis. To date, around 2.9 billion has been
mobilised for relief and recovery assistance to those in need in Syria and Iraq as well as
to refugees and their host communities. The EU will continue to support the
humanitarian relief efforts, including for people in areas that are difficult to reach,
provide assistance to support the resilience of refugees and host communities in
countries affected by the crisis and calls on the international community to do the same.
It will also continue to insist on the importance of abiding by humanitarian principles
and international human rights law. Regarding Syria, the EU condemns the Assad
regime's continued intransigence on humanitarian access and the use of administrative
procedures to hinder the rapid and sustained delivery of aid. The EU reiterates its call
on all parties, in particular the Assad regime to implement in full the provisions of the
United Nations Security Council Resolution 2139 and 2165. The EU will continue to
implement those Resolutions to deliver cross-border and cross line assistance. The EU is
also deeply concerned that ISIL has significantly affected the presence and operation of
humanitarian agencies and actors in northern Syria, thus compromising their
humanitarian function. Regarding Iraq, the EU calls on the government of Iraq to do
more to contribute to the humanitarian relief effort across the country and deliver on its
duty of care and protection vis-vis all Iraqis.
14. In all the neighbouring countries hosting Iraqi and Syrian refugees, the EU will
continue to provide assistance to refugees and vulnerable host communities in close
coordination with national authorities and development actors, whose efforts contribute
to reducing tensions with host communities and to the stabilization of these countries in
line with their national plans. The EU is fully aware of the immense social and security
challenges that the current developments in Syria and Iraq pose in particular to
Lebanon and Jordan. The EU is determined to seek ways to further enhance its support
to both countries to meet those security challenges. The EU is looking forward to the
Berlin Conference on the Syrian Refugee Situation of 28 October 2014.
15. The Council calls on the High Representative/Vice President to develop an EU
comprehensive regional strategy for Syria and Iraq as well as the ISIL / Da'esh threat."